ITR filing 2025: Excel utilities for ITR 1 and 4 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) released by Income Tax dept; Check who can file
Choose right income tax return form for ITR filing FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)
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Who is eligible to file ITR 1 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
Who cannot use ITR 1 to file income tax return for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
Who is eligible to file ITR 4 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
How to file ITR Excel utilities forms
Steps to download ITR-1 and ITR-4 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)
The Income Tax Department has released the Excel utility versions of Income Tax Return (ITR) Forms 1 and 4 for the Assessment Year 2025–26. These tools are now available for download on the official income tax e-filing portal , allowing eligible taxpayers to start preparation for filing of income tax returns for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26).The Income Tax Department has announced the release of excel utilities via a post on X (formerly Twitter). 'Attention taxpayers! The Excel Utility for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for AY 2025-26 has been enabled and is now available for taxpayers,' the Income Tax Department said on X.Himank Singla, Partner at SBHS & Associates, says, 'It's a big relief to see that the Excel Utilities for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for Assessment Year 2025–26 have been released by the Income Tax Department. I have already filed ITR-4 using Excel Utility, and I am happy to share that the process was smooth - there are no major changes in the ITR-4 schema compared to last year, which makes it even easier for regular filers and tax professionals. However, a very important change has been made in the schema for ITR-1. A new validation rule has been introduced in the utility itself: if certain TDS section codes appear in Schedule TDS2 or TDS3—such as 194B, 194BB, 194S, 194LA, 195, 196A, 194Q, 194R and others—the income tax return will now be considered invalid for filing under ITR-1. This means taxpayers having income under special rates or from sources like online games, lotteries, crypto, property transfers, must use ITR-2 or other appropriate forms.This is a very welcome and practical change. In past years, many taxpayers unknowingly filed ITR-1 with such incomes, only to face defective return notices from CPC. By building this validation directly into the utility, the Department has helped prevent incorrect filings at source, saving both time and confusion.'Also read: When will salaried employees get Form 16 to file income tax return for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)? Taxpayers are advised to carefully check the eligibility criteria before selecting and filing their income tax return FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26). Choosing the incorrect form may lead to complications or rejection of the ITR by the Income Tax Department. Tax experts recommend thorough reading of the instructions to avoid errors in ITR filing.For the financial year 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26), resident individuals (excluding those classified as not ordinarily resident) with a total income of up to Rs 50 lakh — including income from salary, one house property, other sources such as interest, long-term capital gains under Section 112A up to Rs 1.25 lakh, and agricultural income not exceeding Rs 5,000 — are eligible to file ITR-1.ITR-1 cannot be used taxpayers who are either Director in a company or have invested in unlisted equity shares or in cases where TDS has been deducted u/s 194N or if income-tax is deferred on ESOP or has assets (including financial interest in any entity) located outside India.For individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) and Firms (other than LLP) being a resident having total income up to Rs 50 lakh and having income from business and profession which is computed under sections 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE, and having long-term capital gains under section 112A up to Rs 1.25 lakh for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26).These ITR forms are editable forms that can be downloaded from the income tax website. Individuals can download these forms, fill them up and upload them back onto the e-filing income tax website. These forms are available in Excel and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format.The Excel utility forms for ITR 1 and 4 are editable tools that can be downloaded, filled offline, and uploaded on the income tax e-filing website. Here are some steps you can follow to download forms ITR-1 and ITR-4Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-filing portalStep 2: Download the applicable ITR form (Excel version)Step 3: Fill in the details as per your income profileStep 4: Validate the form and generate the XML or JSON fileStep 5: Upload it on the portal to complete the filing processWith the release of these utilities, it's time for eligible taxpayers to begin gathering their financial documents and start filing their returns well before the due date of September 15, 2025 for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26).
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Eligibility to file ITR-1 Different ways to file ITR-1 Step-by-step guide to file ITR-1 online on income tax e-filing website Step 3 Step 6 Step 7 Section 1: Personal Information Step 8 Section 2: Gross Total Income Gross salary – Less: Allowances exempted u/s 10 Less: Income relief claimed u/s 89A Net salary Less: Standard Deduction Income chargeable under the head Salaries Gross rent received Rs 3,60,000 Tax paid to authorities (Rs 1,000) Annual Value Rs 3,59,000 30% of Annual Value (Rs 1,07,700) Interest payable on borrowed capital (Rs 4,00,000) Arrears received during the year less 30% NIL Income chargeable under House property (Rs 1,48,700) House Property Reporting of exempt income LTCG under Section 112A not chargeable to Income Tax Section 3: Total deduction Section 4: Tax paid Section 5: Verify your tax liability Many salaried employees use ITR-1 to file their tax returns since they don't usually have complex income sources. 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Alternatively, go to E-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return from the assessment year 2025-26 (current AY), mode of filing – online and click on continue. The assessment year is the year in which income earned in the previous financial year is assessed.A new webpage will open. Select 'Start New filing', select status as 'Individual' and click 'Continue'.Next, you have to select the ITR form. Select ITR-1 and click on 'Proceed with ITR-1'. Select 'Let's Get Started' to proceed with this year's ITR filing. Remember to keep your documents, such as Form 16, interest certificate, and others, to make the ITR filing process Read | Documents you need to file your ITR this yearSelect the reason for ITR filing. Here we have selected, 'Taxable income is more than the basic exemption limit'.Taxpayers need to keep in mind that the new tax regime is the default one. If they want to change tax regime, they can do so in the personal information section as outlined below.A new webpage will show the following sections:a) Personal Informationb) Gross Total Incomec) Total Deductionsd) Tax paide) Verify your tax liability detailsThis section shows your personal details such as name, PAN, date of birth and others. You can also edit your contact details here. In this section, you need to select the nature of employment, ITR filing Section 139(1), tax regime option (YES/NO). You should also check your bank account details to ensure that all bank accounts held by you between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, are reported in your section shows the gross total income of a salaried taxpayer from various sources such as income from salary/pension, interest income, dividends, LTCG from listed equity, equity mutual funds, etc. In the online ITR form, most of the columns are auto-filled from Form 16, Form 16A, Annual Information Statement, etc.A taxpayer should verify the auto-populated information in the ITR form. If not populated, details are required to be entered of salary income in ITR-1: The columns for reporting salary income in ITR-1 form are the same as how salary income is shown in the Form 16. Click on the edit button on the right-hand side to edit salary a salaried individual opts for the new tax regime for ITR filing for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26), the salary details will be reported as follows:Under the new tax regime, a salaried taxpayer can claim a standard deduction of Rs 75,000 from salary income. Further, allowances such as House Rent allowance (HRA), Leave Travel allowance (LTA) are not allowed under the new tax ITR-1 form allows a taxpayer to report income from one house property only. If the taxpayer occupies the house, then it will be considered as 'Self-occupied property'.On the other hand, if the house was on rent during FY 2024-25, then rental income is required to be reported in the ITR form. Here is an example of how rental income from house property will be you have earned rental income of Rs 3.60 lakh, paid house tax of Rs 1,000 and have interest on home loan of Rs 4 lakh. From the drop-down menu, select 'let-out property'. 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